Exposition of John, Chapter 6 · Verse 15
Verſe. 22. The day following, when the people which ſtood on the other ſide of the ſea, ſaw that there was none other beat there, ſave that one whereinto his diſciples were entred, and that Jeſus went not with his diſciples into the boat, but that his diſciples were gone away alone.
23. Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias, nigh unto the place where they did eate bread, after that the Lord had given thanks.
24. When the people therefore ſaw that Jeſus was not there, neither his diſciples, they alſo took ſhipping, and came to Capernaum, ſeeking for Jeſus.
25. And when they had found him on the other ſide of the ſea, they ſaid unto him, Rabbi, when cameſt thou hither?
Followeth unto the end of the Chapter Chriſts excellent Sermon or conference with his followers, ſome occaſions whereof are recorded, verſe 22, 23, 24, 25. and the Sermon it ſelf, with the effects and conſequents that followed thereupon, in the reſt of the Chapter.
In theſe verſes, we have the occaſions of this Sermon; (which alſo are a further effect of the miracle of the loaves;) The firſt whereof is more remote, that the multitude who had been miraculouſly ſed, knowing that Chriſt had not gone with his diſciples, and that there was no other boat there, did, the next day, expect that poſſibly they would finde him there ſtill, on the mountain to which he went: But finding him gone, as well as the diſciples, they (being provided of other boats, as is marked, verſe 23.) do follow and ſeek him. The other occaſion of the conference, (verſe 25.) is more near, that having found him, they enter into familiar diſcourſe with him, and enquire concerning his getting to that place. It is not needful to determine, whether they ſuſpected any thing of his miraculous paſſage; Though it be not improbable that they were taught, as well as the diſciples, thereby: And one work of Chriſt in feeding men miraculouſly, may diſcover more of him, and that he can paſſe over a ſea without a boat; And they who were on land, free of a ſtorme, may have a better fight of Chriſts power, then diſciples in their perplexity, whoſe judgements and diſcerning were confounded with tentation and trouble: Yea their narrow marking of circumſtances, that there was no other boat there, may import they ſuſpected it, by their following him when they found him not there: And indeed, narrow conſideration will diſcover more of him, then ſleight obſervers do ordinarily remark. But that which is certainly cleare, is, that they, not finding him there, do ſeek him where his diſciples were, and providence furniſheth them with boats for their paſſage. From verſe 22, 23, 24. Learn, 1. The hot moods and fits of temporaries will not alwayes coole at the firſt, but they may continue very earneſt for a while; for ſo did it prove in this people, who, it ſeemes, ſtayed all night in the deſert place watching for him, and are eagerly ſeeking him the day following. They are ſaid to ſtand on the other ſide of the ſea, though the deſert near to Bethſaida, was on the ſame ſide with Capernaum, where Chriſt now was; becauſe the neareſt way to it was by ſea, and the diſciples had gone that way. 2. Such as follow Chriſt but for a wrong end, he will ſoone be weary of their company, and they will loſe it; for, ſo did it fare with theſe, Jeſus was not there, but had ſlipped from among them ere they were aware. 3. When Chriſt is away, it is the duty of ſuch as reſpect him, to reſolve to follow him on any tearmes; And even temporaries will not be put away with every repulſe, but may ſeeme, for a time, to follow the faſter; for, ſuch is their practice here, they will go after and ſeek him, though they ſhould leave their families and intereſts. 4. It is great folly and blindneſſe in men, to do at upon places wherein Chriſt hath gloriouſly manifeſted himſelf, when he is removed thence in the ordinary ſignes of his preſence; for, ſo much doth their practice teach, they would not ſtay in that place, (though famous for a miracle and Chriſts preſence,) when he is away, but do follow him. 5. When Chriſt is withdrawn, men will be at a loſſe where to finde him, and to know whither he is gone, if they conſult with reaſon; for, ſo much do they finde, he is not there, and yet they cannot (when they have conſidered all circumſtances) diſcerne how, or whither he is gone. See Cant. 5.6. 6. Albeit Chriſt be not alwayes viſibly ſeene in the company of his diſciples, yet it is ſafeſt ſeeking him where they are, for, ſo do they, with good ſucceſſe. They ſaw him not go with his diſciples, yet they came to Capernaum, ſeeking for Jeſus, not onelyonly becauſe that was the place of his education, but becauſe the diſciples went thitherward, as it is like they knew when they went away. See Cant. 1.7, 8. 7. Such as have their heart and eye on Chriſt, reſolving to follow him, his providence will ſerve them with means that they may follow him; for, they who reſolve to follow, and had no boats, are within a while provided, as verſe 23. And if he do ſo to hollow-hearted men, how much more to others? 8. In mentioning the place of the miracle, John takes notice that they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks, to ſhew 1. That ſpiritual minds are much taken up with obſervation of ſpiritual things, even when greateſt outward wonders are a working; for, he paſſeth the miracle in a word, but ſpeaks more fully of that refreſhing and edifying thankſgiving. 2. Chriſts way of ſpeaking to his Father, in prayer and praiſe, was very raviſhing, and did take deep impreſſion upon ſpiritual obſervers, who were witneſſes of it; Therefore, is it now ſo warmely remembred by John. 3. It is one great leſſon in Chriſts ſchoole, to learn that the bleſſing of all enjoyments are in Gods hand, and to fall in love with prayer and praiſe, as the mean of drawing out that bleſſing, as it is needed; Therefore, alſo John remembers the thankſgiving or bleſſing, eſpecially as the mean of drawing down the bleſſing on theſe few loaves. 4. Such as are due obſervers of Chriſts wonderful works, will have high and reverend thoughts of him; Therefore, John doth on this occaſion name him the Lord. Doctrine 9. Such as are but temporaries, and hollow-hearted, may get through without difficulties, where Chriſts peculiar followers will meet with ſtormes; he having more proofs of love to let out on them, and to them; for, they get through the ſea eaſily, where the diſciples were tempeſt beaten.
From verſe 25. Learn, 1. Chriſt may condeſcend to be found even of hollow hearted men who follow him: That ſo he may witneſſe that their perdition is of themſelves, and that he is willing to to reclaim them: And that he may give a publike teſtimony, how willing he is to receive ſincere ſeekers, when he is ſo condeſcending to ſuch as theſe; for, they found him on the other ſide of the ſea, to wit, at Capernaum, as appeareth verſe 24. with 59. For albeit Chriſt landed in the Countrey beſide, where he wrought ſome cures, as is recorded in the parallel places, Matth. 14.34. &c. Mark 6.53. &c. yet he was entered the City before theſe men met with him. 2. Temporaries may have as much ſhew and outſide, as theſe who are ſincere; ſo that none are to be tried thereby, but men muſt diſtinguiſh betwixt true piety and familiarity with Chriſt, and a ſhew or eſtimation of it; for, they make a great noiſe and fair ſhew, when they came to Chriſt. 3. Temporaries may give Chriſt very fair language and titles, it that will ſuffice him, and will not fail ſo to do it, ſo long as he doth not croſſe their idols and deſignes; for, their compellation is Rabbi. 4. Temporaries alſo may pretend to very great familiarity with Chriſt, and may think themſelves very great in his Court, and homely with him; So much doth this familiar queſtion about his coming there, import. They judged that the great work he had done for them, had made them of worth before him, and great men in his account. 5. Whatever be the flouriſhe and pretences of hollow-hearts, or their paines in following Chriſt; yet this doth witneſſe their unſoundneſſe, that they make no right uſe of him, when they have the opportunity, but do curiouſly and idely paſſe away their time; for, all they have to ſay, is, Rabbi, when cameſt thou hither? which ſeemeth to relate not onelyonly to the time, but to the manner alſo of his coming. And albeit it give ſome hint, that they ſuſpected he came in a miraculous way, yet they were but curious and idle in propounding the queſtions, as the ſequel more fully cleareth.